A Glossary of Home Inspection Terms

A naturally occurring mineral fiber sometimes found in older homes. It is hazardous to health when a possibility exists of exposure to inhalable fibers. Homeowners should be alert for friable asbestos and always seek professional advice in dealing with it.

AWNING WINDOWS

A window with hinges at the top allowing it to open out and up.

B

BASEBOARD:

Usually wood or vinyl installed around the perimeter of a room to cover the space where the wall and floor meet.

BASEBOARD HEAT:

A heating system with the heating unit located along the perimeter of the wall where the baseboard would be. It can be either an electric or hot water system.

BREAKER BOX:

A metal box that contains circuit breakers or fuses that control the electrical current in the home.

BUILDING CODE:

Minimum local or state regulations established to protect public health and safety. They apply to building design, construction, rehabilitation, repair, materials, occupancy and use.

BUCKLING:

The bending of a building material as a result of wear and tear or contact with a substance such as water.

C

CASEMENT WINDOWS:

A sidehinged window that opens on hinges secured to the side of the window frame.

CAULKING:

Material used to fill joints that may exist between floors and fixtures; around windows and doors, shower stalls and bathtubs, etc.

CIRCUIT BREAKER:

The safety valves for electrical systems. It interrupts an electric circuit when an unusual condition arises such as lightning and malfunctioning appliances. Unlike a fuse, it can be reset.

CLASS B DOOR:

A fire resistant rating applied by the Underwriters Laboratories Classification for a door having a 1 to 1 1/2hour rating.

CPVC:

Plastic water piping.

CRAWL SPACE:

Shallow space between the underside of the first floor of a house and the ground.

CUTOFF VALVES:

Valves used to shut water off, generally located under sinks or behind bathtub and shower access panels. They cutoff hot and/or cold water at the source without cutting all water off throughout the house.

This system heats water to boiling in a water heater, and a circulator pumps it through a system of pipes.

HVAC:

Heating, ventilating and air conditioning system.

I

INSULATION:

Material used to resist the loss of heat energy. Materials such as fiber glass, mineral wool, cellulose and foam are placed in the walls, ceilings, basements and crawl spaces. Insulation may be blown or installed in batt sections.

J

JOISTS:

Horizontal timbers, beams or bars supporting a floor.

L

LATHING:

Strips of wood or other material used as a base for the installation of plaster.

LEAD:

A material used in pipes and paint of many older homes. We now know that lead is hazardous to health. The local environmental protection agency should be consulted for guidelines on handling, removal and applicable laws.

Construction using materials such as tile, brick, cement, stone or similar materials.

MEMBER:

Wood or steel elements that make up the framing and foundation of a structure such as 2 X 4 strips of lumber cut to various lengths.

MORTAR:

A bonding material used in the construction of brick or stone structures.

MOULDING:

Strips of wood or the material used to cover joints between floors and walls, and walls and ceilings.

P

PARAPET WALL:

A low wall or railing along the edge of a roof, balcony, bridge or terrace constructed for protection, to control water resulting from rain or artificial flooding or to insulate against the sun's rays.

PARQUET FLOORS:

A floor that is laid in rectangular or square patterns often made of prefinished wood or wood veneer squares.

POINTING UP:

The removal of deteriorated mortar between bricks and replacement with new mortar.

POLYBUTYLENE:

Water piping used for interior piping and the main waterline to the street. Problems with this pipe have curtailed its use.

PROFESSIONAL INSPECTION:

An inspection performed by a specially trained inspector to provide a comprehensive report on the condition of a house. This report is usually written and is often used in home sale negotiations.

R

RVALUE:

A measurement of the ability of insulation to slow the transfer of heat or cold. The higher the Rvalue, the greater the insulation power.

RADIANT HEATING SYSTEM:

An electrical heating system that distributes heat through cables installed usually in baseboard panels.

RADON:

A colorless, odorless gas that is emitted from soils, rocks and water as a result of radioactive decay in certain areas of the country. Radon is known to cause cancer. Homes should be tested for radon. The local environmental agency should be consulted on its handling, removal and any applicable laws.

RAFTER:

The structural member or beam that supports the roof. It spans from the exterior wall to the ridge board of the peak of the roof.

The lowering of elevation of a house or pavement due to weight or shrinkage.

SHINGLE:

Sheets of waterproof material used to cover the roofs of homes and other surfaces.

SIDING:

Finish material such as wood, vinyl and aluminum used on outside walls.

SILL:

The lowest piece upon which a window or exterior door rests, usually slanted downward slightly to provide for rain water runoff.

SLAB:

A concrete foundation or floor of a home. Houses built on slab usually do not have basements.

SOFFIT:

The underside part of a roof that extends beyond the outside walls of a structure.

SOLAR HEAT:

Heat created from the gathering of solar energy from the sun. It can be passive or active. A positive system takes advantage of winter sunlight through windows on the south side of a home. An active system heats through the collection of solar energy through solar collectors.

SUMP PUMP:

An electric pump, usually installed in the basement to prevent water from entering the basement area. It empties water from a "well or pit" where it is collected and pumps it to the outside of a home.

T

THERMOSTAT:

Helps to control temperatures within the home. Thermostats automatically turn heating or air conditioning on or off as necessary to maintain a desired temperature.

THRESHOLD:

A strip of metal, wood, marble or other material placed at the base of a door.

U

UREA FORMALDEHYDE FOAM INSULATION:

A type of foamedin-place insulation that releases formaldehyde gas. It was banned by the Consumer Public Safety Commission in 1982 from use in residences and schools. Holding that the risks had not been proven, a Federal Court lifted the ban in 1983. The local consumer and/or environmental protection agency should be consulted for additional information on this type of insulation.

W

WEATHER -STRIPPING:

Made of various materials used to reduce the escape of heat or air conditioning from a home. It is usually installed around windows and doors.

WINDOW WELL:

The open subsurface space that provides light through a basement window.

Z

ZONE:

A system that allows different temperatures in various parts of a structure.